Salvationist Rioting.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 22, 24 December 1884, Page 2

Salvationist Rioting.

EXCITING SCENE. AT AN "ARMY" MEETING.

On the evening of the 16th instant, the usual evening services of tho Salvation Army at the Hall, Castlereaghstreet, Sydney, were a scene of the disturbance that eventually terminated m a most alarming manner. Shortly after the band had played the opening hymn it was evident that among the audience, numbering some twe thousand people, there were several more on ainuaeroent th »« salvation intent. The interjections of " Glory be to God" and "Hallelujah" were interspersed with "Hear, hear," and a duet of groans on more than one occasion. Matters, however, grew worse as the service proceeded. First one offender was removed by a '" Sergeant" of the army, and then the man of stripes was called on to eject another. The delinquent objectiug to this proceeding, and showing fight, the stalwart aon of " blood and fire," despite the struggles of his larrikin antagonist, took him on the nursing principle, and with the assistance of a comerade succeeded m clearing the gallery of his presence. Meanwhile the friends of the ejected one had left their seats, and, following m the wake of their friend or companion were urging him him to let the Salvation guardians of the peace " have it." To drown, if possible, the noise caused by tins unseemly interruption^ and the disturbance consequent thereon, the bands launched forth into " Where the living waters flow." After a short time quietness again reigned, only to be followed with another interruption from the opposite side of the gallety. The " captain" from the stage then ordered two more of the audience v to leave the house at once." the " named" parties, amidst the breathless attention of the whole house, carried out this order by rising and leaving their seats. On©, however, so far forgot himself, or otherwise through spirit bravado, as to cover his head before leaving the gallery. " Remove that man's hat," shouted the "captain," and removed it was accordingly, only to be replaced. " Does anyone know the names of those two men?" formed the next interrogation of the Salvation Army leader. No one claiming that honour, then followed the stem command, " Put them out and give them m charge of the police for creating a disturbance." This was the finishing Btroke. The excitement, momentarily increasing, now 1 cached its climax. Men and women rose en masse, and made for the door, out of which tho semi-prisoners, had just been hustled. The crush of the staircase leading to tho exit door would have been bad under the oirouinstances alone, but ao if to swell the roll of accidents already chronicled on this score pending- the arrival of the police, the means of egress were blocked at the foot of the staircase by the door being closed. Close scrutiny revealed the fact that under the stairs a guard of five " sergeants" held their temporary prisoners m custody, and to prevent the escape of the offenders the innocent were made to suffer. After repeated expostulations one half of the door was opened, through which a half panic-stricken crowd, urged on partially by fear and pressure combined, hastily escaped. At one meraent the crush assumed a serious aspect, and * although there were a number of braises sustained the injuries received were of a trifling character. Ou the arrival of the police, who promptly attended when called on, no arrests were made ; but the names of the offenders were officially ascertained. :